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News Release — Byron Dorgan, Senator for North Dakota

DORGAN ANNOUNCES THAT ALIEN TECHNOLOGY WILL ESTABLISH FARGO AS A HIGH-TECH CENTER AND LEADER IN RFID PRODUCTION

Senator Played Key Role in Persuading High-Tech Company to Locate Plant in Fargo

Monday, October 9, 2006

CONTACT: Justin Kitsch
or  Brenden Timpe
PHONE: 202-224-2551

(FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA) --- U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan said Monday the opening of Alien Technology’s manufacturing plant here is another boost for the reputation of Fargo and the Red River Valley Research Corridor as a world leader in the development and production of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. Dorgan stated that the corridor’s growing reputation will continue to attract new high-tech companies and good-paying jobs to North Dakota.

Alien Technology is widely regarded as the world leader in RFID technology. Last year Alien received a Global Technology Innovation Award from The Wall Street Journal for its revolutionary manufacturing process that reduces the cost of RFID tags.

“With Alien Technology located in Fargo, our state now has the potential to be the world’s largest producer of radio frequency identification tags, which are changing the way the world does business,” said Dorgan.

Dorgan introduced leaders of Alien Technology to state and local officials and business leaders in 2003, when the company informed him it was looking for a site for its new plant. This led to Alien Technology’s decision to build a new location in Fargo, instead of Asia.

Alien Technology first came to Fargo in 2001, after Senator Dorgan earmarked funds in the defense budget for NDSU to collaborate with the company on designing and producing RFID-based microsensors for military and homeland security applications.

Recently Dorgan formed the Senate RFID Caucus with Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) to educate policymakers and the public on the benefits and potential applications of RFID technology. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, Dorgan has attracted high-tech companies to North Dakota by leveraging federal funds to establish a Red River Research and Technology Corridor and fund research and development programs at NDSU and at University of North Dakota (UND).

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